National Survey: Choosing When to Menstruate: The Role of Extended Contraception

National SurveyJuly-August 2002 Harris Poll Results

During the weeks of June 14–17 and July 18–22, 2002, the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP) surveyed 491 women between the ages of 18 and 49 to understand women's preferences about frequency and characteristics of menstrual bleeding in relation to reproductive status and oral contraceptive use. The statistical accuracy is +/- 4.5 percentage points.

Some trends of interest:

When asked if their period let them know whether or not they are "healthy" more than two-thirds of women surveyed said no.

Given the opportunity to determine how frequently they would menstruate, 44% of all women surveyed would prefer never to menstruate, and this number increases to 59% for women ages 40–49.

More than one in four women responding said their period, menstrual cramps, or other menstrual effects have caused them to miss professional, social, athletic, or family-oriented events.

Seventy percent of women use or have used oral contraceptive pills in their lifetime.

Less than 20% of women surveyed have ever used oral contraceptives to delay or stop their period for any length of time.

Looking for medically accurate, up-to-date, evidence-based educational programming for health care providers and materials for patients on all reproductive health topics, including abortion, contraception, HPV, menopause, menstruation, pregnancy, sexuality? Look no further than the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP) – the leading source for trusted medical education and information on reproductive and sexual health.